SOAR Overview
This infographic provides an Overview of the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery model and Technical Assistance (TA) Center.
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery: An Overview
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are disability income benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The application process for SSI/SSDI is complicated and difficult to navigate, particularly for people who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, substance use issues, or co-occurring disorders that impair cognition. Yet accessing these benefits is often a critical first step in recovery.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) developed the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) model to address this critical need. The SAMHSA SOAR TA Center provides a three-step approach to SOAR implementation:
- Strategic planning meetings bring key state/local stakeholders together to agree upon a SOAR process and develop an action plan to implement their SOAR program.
- Training of case managers using the SOAR Online Course: Adult and Child Curricula. A Leadership Academy program creates strong local leaders to support SOAR-trained case managers and coordinate local SOAR programs.
- Individualized technical assistance for supporting action plan implementation, identifying funding opportunities for sustainability, developing quality review procedures, and assisting with tracking outcomes to document success and identify areas for improvement and expansion.
